COLUMBIA, Md., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have awarded Enterprise the 2007 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in Energy- Efficient Affordable Housing in recognition of its efforts to provide energy- efficient housing for low-income residents. Enterprise was recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. "Energy efficiency is particularly important in the affordable housing sector," said Doris Koo, president and CEO at Enterprise Community Partners. "By building homes that earn the ENERGY STAR, we are reducing utility costs and providing homes that are truly affordable to own and operate for low- income residents. At the same time, these homes are more comfortable to live in and help to protect the environment." Enterprise is the national leader in creating energy efficient and environmentally responsible homes and communities. Through Green Communities, Enterprise has invested $350 million to create more than 7,000 energy efficient affordable homes in 23 states around the country. Enterprise is working with developers and policymakers to make all affordable housing in the U.S. environmentally sustainable. "Building energy-efficient, sustainable, healthy homes is a top priority for Enterprise," said Jeffrey Donahue, president and CEO of Enterprise Community Investment. "We're honored to receive this recognition from ENERGY STAR, an indication of how much Green Communities has accomplished in bringing together the goals of the affordable housing industry and the environmental movement." ENERGY STAR Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contribution to the construction of energy-efficient homes that benefit the environment, while providing homeowners with a quieter, more comfortable home, along with significant utility savings. Award winners are selected from over 9,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $14 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 25 million vehicles. "Partners like Enterprise make it possible to offer the savings, comfort and durability of an ENERGY STAR home to everyone," said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "We are proud of our partners' efforts to bring energy efficiency to the communities where each saved dollar on energy bills is so important." Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For 25 years, Enterprise has pioneered neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested over $7 billion in equity, grants and loans and is currently investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year. Visit http://www.enterprisecommunity.org/ or http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/ to learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity, and to meet some of the half a million people we have helped. ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy- efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses.
